RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The Virginia man previously arrested in connection in the disappearance of a Raleigh man has now been charged with murder, arrest records show.

Raleigh police said Thursday a body, likely that of William “Andy” Banks, was discovered in Virginia with help from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.

Justin Fernando Merritt on Sept. 17, 2020. (Raleigh/Wake CCBI)

Bank’s body will be sent to the coroner in Roanoke, Virginia for an autopsy, Raleigh police said.

Justin Fernando Merritt, of Danville, Virginia was arrested Monday in relation to the disappearance of Banks.

Thursday afternoon, Merritt was charged with murder, arrest records show.

Banks, 39, was last seen Saturday afternoon after his family said he was meeting someone in the K&W Cafeteria parking lot at Cameron Village about selling his 2011 Silver Range Rover Sport.

Banks’ Range Rover was located in Danville on Monday.

Merritt was charged with robbery, larceny of motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the stolen vehicle.

Merritt wasn’t served with those warrants until he was brought to Raleigh. The 34-year-old waived extradition early Tuesday.

Raleigh police said Wednesday the disappearance of Banks was now being investigated as a homicide.

Earlier Thursday, the Chatham Star Tribune reports the body was found on a farm on Beechnut Road in rural Chatham.

Public records show Merritt once lived on Dry Fork Road – which is around a mile from Beechnut Road.

Beechnut Road is around 12 miles northwest of Danville.

Andy Banks and his 2011 Range Rover

In court Wednesday, Wake County Judge Ned Mangum raised Merritt’s bond from $265,000 to $2 million.

Detention Center records show Merritt is now being held without bond on the murder charge.

Wake County Assistant District Attorney Patrick LaTour said in court that Merritt came from Virginia “under the guise” of buying Banks’ SUV.

According to warrants for his arrest, Merritt used a firearm to threaten Banks’ life during the robbery.

“All of these charges relate to a situation here in Raleigh which the victim in this case is still unaccounted for. Law enforcement suspect further of these charges, foul play involved. I would ask you substantially the defendant’s bond increase bond,” said LaTour.

LaTour said Merritt has no ties to the Raleigh area, and physical evidence linked Merritt to the Range Rover.

“They spoke to several witnesses that corroborated at least that, and based on physical evidence that they have found within the car that they believe there to have been a dangerous weapon used in the taking of that automobile,” LaTour said.

LaTour asked Mangum to also consider Merritt’s three previous felony convictions when considering his bond.  

“The defendant has prior criminal convictions that I think are important and enlightening for the court when considering the defendant’s bond,” LaTour said.

Merritt has three previous felony convictions – including illegal use of a firearm and burglary.

The attorney representing Merritt in court Wednesday objected to raising his bond, saying it was already high for the charges he’s currently facing.

There is zero evidence of criminal conduct by Banks, LaTour said.

Merritt was scheduled to appear in court again Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. However, he will likely appear before a Wake County judge on Friday following the murder charge.